Crime

A state appeals court Tuesday rejected Grant Hayes' argument that there were mistakes in his trial for the murder of Laura Jean Atkinson in 2011 and his 2013 conviction should be overturned. 2 hours ago

Durham’s violent-crime rate for 2014 was up 15 percent from the year before, according to Police Chief Jose L. Lopez’s annual crime report, with 1,870 reported incidents of homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. Homicides dropped to 22, compared to 30 in 2013.